FEB. 1897. EAST AFRICAN COLLECTION OF BIRDS ELLIOT. 55 



themselves seriously about it requires that one should hear it to 

 fully comprehend their great ability in that line. Although it is 

 charged with possessing an offensive odor, and has been called 

 "Stinking Crow," I never found anything particularly objection- 

 able about it, not more so than is noticeable among members of 

 the genus Corvtts, Garrulus, etc. This species appears to great 

 advantage when flying, its long tail and the white spots on wing 

 and tail feathers contrasting very agreeably with the generally 

 dark plumage. 



FAM. MEROPID.E. 



88. Merops albicollis. 



Merops albicolls. Vieill, Nouv. Diet, d' Hist. Nat., Vol. 

 XIV, p. 15 (1817). 



$ Berbera. Iris scarlet. 



This species was not common, indeed but few individuals were 

 observed by us. 



89. Melittophagus cyanostictus. 



Merops cyanostictus. Oust, Bibl. Haut. Etudes, Vol. XXXI, 

 Art. 10, p. 4 (1886). 



Melittophagus cyanostictus. Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus., Vol. 

 XVII, p. 48, pi. i, fig. 3 (1892). 



$ Hullier. Iris red. 



o? Hullier. 



$ Hersi Barri, Ogaden. 



This pretty little bee-eater was frequently seen as far south as 

 the expedition reached. Though sometimes it was observed in 

 flocks, yet it seemed mostly to go singly or in pairs. Very swift 

 upon the wing it was most expert in catching flying insects, 

 often returning with its prey to the twig it had just left. 



90. Melittophagus revoilii. 



Merops (melittophagus) revoilii, Oust, in Revoil's Faun, et 

 Flor. Comalis, Ois., p. 5. pi. i (1886). Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus., 

 Vol. XVII, p. 54 (1892). 



$ $ Hullier. 

 9 Haud. 



Not common, and not met with before reaching the plateau 

 south of the Golis range. 



